The Meaning of the Number 666 in the Bible

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the number 666. In reality it is mostly speculation. I’ll attempt to answer a couple of the big questions about 666 without too much speculation, as well as discuss what the Bible actually says about it.

What is the mark 666 gonna be in humans?

This is complicated and unclear at best. 7 is a holy number. Trinity symbolizes completeness. We could argue that 777 is God’s number; complete holiness in God. 666 is the beast’s number AND man’s number; this may symbolize complete submission to the beast. I think ultimately what is being said here in Revelations 13 is that man, by nature, is completely unholy.

If we take this literally, it says, “He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead “ (Revelations 13.16). Since this is prophesy, however, I don’t think we can be certain that it will happen in exactly this way.

I would wager to say that it will be more like Deuteronomy 6 where it says of the LORD’s commandments to, “Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads” (v. 8). I think that in the final days, the wickedness of man will be incredibly obvious, as tied to our foreheads and hands. In reality, we will probably only know when the time comes. Or maybe we are already there and we won’t know for sure til we get to heaven. Either way, if it were all that important, the Bible would be clear on what 666 will look like in humans.

Is 666 in all barcodes?

Yes and no. Surely by design, 6 as well as 666 is an incredibly common number. It comes up by default in all sorts of calculations, not excluding, random number algorithms, like the ones used to create bar codes. Do I put any stock in 666 showing up on my shampoo bottle? No. I actually find it comical. I have noticed it so many times when I get change at the gas station or grocery store or whatever, as well as many other places. It doesn’t mean I’m going to hell.

Based on the previous question, though, it could mean that I am a sinner and that by nature I am wicked at heart (and I am, as are all men). But, I am redeemed through Jesus Christ, so 666 in a bar code, need only remind me of my savior.

Is it bad if i see the number 666 everyday?

No. See previous question. Seeing 666 everyday simply is a phenomenon, although I doubt it is a coincidence.

What does everyone need to know about 666, the mark of the beast?

Ya know. It all depends on who you are and why you care. Remember the mark of the beast, 666, is also the mark of man. We aren’t waiting for this judgment to come. It’s already upon us and has been since the fall of man.

The only real reason that anyone needs to know anything about 666 is if they have some sort of internal struggle which is causing their faith to suffer. And to that person I can give advice. In Revelations 13 it says in regards to the mark of the beast, “This calls for wisdom” (v. 18). Go get wisdom if your faith is suffering. Read God’s word, all of it, constantly seeking Him through prayer in order to place His wisdom upon you. What I believe you will find is that you have no reason to fear the coming wrath, so long as your faith is in Jesus Christ.

How many times is 666 mentioned in the bible?

4. I could leave it at that, but I can tell you a little more, I suppose.

1 Kings 10.4 and 2 Chronicles 9.13 both address Solomon’s yearly income of 666 talents of gold. Certainly, you can argue that since the money is the route of all evil that the amount was referring to Solomon’s judgment, but that would be ridiculous. Solomon was in control of his worldly possessions, he messed up on a spiritual level when he took foreign wives and erected temples to their gods. No, I believe 666 is an arbitrary number; arbitrary, referring to a seemingly random number, which may have been designed to appear more often as discussed above.

Ezra 2.13 refers to the descendants of Adonikam who returned to Jeruselem after the exile. There were 666 of them, although Nehemiah says it was 667 (Nehemiah 7.18). Maybe a child was born between the two accounts. Again, arbitrary. There does not appear to be any significance to the exact numbers of people who returned of any of the families.

We have already talked at length of the account of 666 in Revelations, the only place where it is referred to as the mark of the beast.

We can speculate more about the number six. Man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1). Noah was 600 years old when the earth was flooded—judgment (Genesis 7). The lampstand wich was made for the tabernacle had six branches—speculate if you must (Exodus 25). Free your slave after six years of service–debt paid? (Deuteronomy 15). The Philistines had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot (2 Samuel 21).

I could go on, but I won’t. I think the search for meanings of numbers can ultimately distract. God’s message is simple and upfront. The hidden things are great to contemplate, but not if they will distract from true worship.

The Meaning of Numbers in the Bible